MLMs Are the Worst. So I Stole Their Playbook to Scale Compassion and Positive Outcomes.
Hear me out. Multilevel marketing schemes are gross, and no one loves seeing influencers call out unethical boss babes like I do. These manipulative scams exploit vulnerable and desperate communities and individuals, conning them into thinking they’re starting a legitimate business when in reality, the FTC found that less than 1% of consultants yield a profit. You recruit five friends, and each of those friends invites five friends, and Boom! You’re on your way to Triple Platinum Status. The thing is—within 15 rounds of this, you’ve exceeded the global population. It’s why selling product to end users is not the primary driver but rather, recruitment drives both the business model and wealth at the top.
But can MLM playbooks be used for good? Truthfully, I don’t know. But here’s what I do know. Our culture is oversaturated with performative outrage, influential charlatans, gamified persecution, and impulsive, emotionally charged bullshit. We are inundated with information which, more often than not, is purposely created to make us angry. Why? Because anger is easy to exploit. It generates clicks and attention which turns into money for media outlets and social media sites. And we aren’t wired particularly well to handle the amount of information coming at us from all directions. Is it any wonder that even though most people want a lot of the same things—security, dignity, freedom, love, opportunity – we are seemingly more divided than ever before?
One-on-One Dialogue: The Slow Solution to Fast Lies
In a world overwhelmed with mis- and disinformation, online outrage, and divisive rhetoric, one-on-one conversations are a powerful antidote. Unlike debates on social media or the echo chambers of curated news feeds, these personal exchanges allow for compassion, nuance, and trust to drive more productive outcomes.
Research consistently shows the value of direct, interpersonal communication in bridging divides and fostering understanding:
Empathy Grows in Personal Interactions: Studies in social psychology suggest that face-to-face conversations are uniquely effective at fostering empathy and reducing prejudice. According to research from Stanford University, engaging in meaningful dialogue about divisive issues can significantly soften attitudes and promote understanding—even between groups with historically entrenched conflicts.
Nuance Can’t Be Clickbaited: In one-on-one settings, people are more likely to engage with complexity, ask questions, and consider perspectives they might otherwise dismiss in a fast-paced online debate. MIT researchers found that misinformation spreads faster than truth online because of the emotional and sensational nature of digital platforms, but personal conversations often cut through this noise by creating space for genuine reflection.
Trust Is Built Through Connection: The human brain is wired to trust people we know personally far more than distant authorities or anonymous sources. A study published in PLOS ONE found that direct, interpersonal communication was more likely to influence decision-making than impersonal messaging campaigns.
The Challenge: Scaling the Intimacy of Conversation
As impactful as one-on-one conversations can be, they have an inherent limitation: time. It’s hard to scale intimacy when you’re trying to outpace the speed of misinformation, which can spread to millions of people in seconds. Disinformation campaigns are meticulously designed to appeal to emotions, leverage algorithms, and exploit confirmation bias.
Speed vs. Depth: A 2018 MIT study revealed that false news stories on Twitter were 70% more likely to be retweeted than truthful ones. That’s because lies are often designed to provoke strong emotional reactions, while nuanced truths take time to explain—and to absorb.
The Emotional Cost of Real Talk: Let’s face it—talking about hard topics is emotionally taxing. It requires patience, vulnerability, and sometimes the willingness to sit in discomfort. Scaling these conversations isn’t just a logistical challenge; it’s a psychological one.
Overcoming Distrust: In polarized times, even starting a dialogue can be difficult. Pew Research Center data shows that political and social divides have deepened, leaving many people skeptical of engaging in meaningful discourse with those they disagree with.
Despite these challenges, the importance of one-on-one conversations cannot be overstated. They cut through the noise, build trust, and remind us of our shared humanity. The question is: How do we scale this model to create a ripple effect that outpaces the spread of disinformation?
Boss Babe Energy, But Make It Emotional Growth
Maybe we can flip the exploitative business model of an MLM on its head. Instead of money, you’re investing time and emotional labor. Instead of sales, the “goal” is a more compassionate, connected world. And instead of vague promises of financial freedom, you’re building something much more sustainable: mutual understanding .
Here’s how it works (potentially):
Step 1: Choose Five People
Start with five friends, family members, or acquaintances. These should be people you trust enough to engage with deeply, even if (especially if) you don’t see eye-to-eye on everything.Step 2: Have One-on-One Conversations
Commit to having a single, meaningful conversation with each person. No distractions, no doomscrolling in the background—just focused dialogue. The goal isn’t to argue or convince; it’s to listen, share perspectives, and find common ground.Step 3: Keep it Moving
After your conversations, invite those five people to each have their own 1:1 discussions with five more people in their networks. And so on, and so on.
Why It Works
Conversations Build Trust
Online arguments rarely change minds, but private, one-on-one conversations can. In these spaces, people feel safer to open up, be vulnerable, and rethink their assumptions.Nuance and Context Thrive in 1:1 Settings
Social media flattens complex issues into soundbites and hashtags, leaving little room for nuance. One-on-one conversations, however, allow for deeper exploration of context and the personal experiences that shape opinions.Grassroots Change Scales Naturally
Imagine if each person in your downline—er, conversation network—engages five people, who each engage five more. In just three layers, your single conversation could spark 125 more.
What’s the Goal?
I’m not promising a new car, beachfront property, or early retirement. But imagine a world where:
You can discuss a contentious topic without it spiraling into an argument.
People feel seen and heard, even if they disagree.
Compassion becomes contagious.
This isn’t about “winning” debates or solving the world’s problems overnight. It’s about creating a culture of better conversations—one person, one talk, one connection at a time.
Tips to Kick Off Your Conversations
To help facilitate more productive conversations, I’ve developed the COMPASS Framework. This framework is designed to help individuals interested in yielding more positive outcomes instead of getting sucked into the addictive nature of online outrage. But to get you started, I’ve put some additional quick tips here:
Start with Curiosity: Ask open-ended questions. “Can you tell me more about why you feel that way?” goes a lot farther than “You’re wrong.”
Focus on Compassion: Even if you don’t agree, try to understand where the other person is coming from.
Embrace Discomfort: Hard topics are, well, hard. Sit with the discomfort and keep going.
Avoid Binary Thinking: Rarely are issues black and white. Explore the gray.
Leave Space for Reflection: Sometimes, the best thing you can say is nothing. Let the conversation breathe.
Scaling Humanity
If we’ve learned anything from grassroots activism, it’s that big change starts small. This MLM isn’t flashy, but it’s built on things we desperately need: reconnection, critical thinking, and perspective.
We’ve spent too long yelling past each other. It’s time to sit down, talk it out, and rebuild a sense of shared humanity—one conversation at a time.
Ready to start your “downline”?
The (Ranty) EmPath Network of Meaningful Conversation Mastery
Forget the flashy cars and dubious skincare products—this MLM is all about scaling emotional intelligence, empathy, and productive dialogue. Here’s a cheeky, non-scammy breakdown of our levels, complete with tips to help you level up.
Level 1: Listener Apprentice
“You’re just starting out, but every great conversationalist begins somewhere!”
Goal: Have your first 1:1 conversation with someone about a meaningful, emotional topic.
Tip to Level Up: Use “Tell me more” as your momentum phrase. It’s a conversational tactic that opens up space for the other person to share without judgment.
Badge: A little notebook, because good listeners always come prepared!
Level 2: Empathy Explorer
“You’ve started listening, and now you’re ready to move into the land of deeper understanding.”
Goal: Complete 3 one-on-one conversations with people who hold different perspectives from yours.
Tip to Level Up: Focus on “active listening.” Summarize what they’ve said before responding: “It sounds like you’re saying X. Did I get that right?” It shows you’re paying attention and care about understanding them.
Badge: A compass, because you’re navigating the map of human emotions.
Level 3: Nuance Navigator
“You’re slicing through oversimplifications and steering the conversation into the gray areas.”
Goal: Facilitate a conversation where both you and the other person learn something new.
Tip to Level Up: Embrace curiosity: “Why do you think that happens?” or “What do you think could help?” These questions keep the conversation constructive instead of combative.
Badge: A telescope, for spotting the bigger picture.
Level 4: Context Captain
“You’ve mastered understanding why people think the way they do. Now you’re helping them unpack their own beliefs.”
Goal: Teach one of your conversation partners how to facilitate their own 1:1 talks.
Tip to Level Up: Share your conversation “highlights reel.” Point out how certain questions or techniques helped the discussion stay productive and thoughtful.
Badge: A magnifying glass, because you’re diving into the details.
Level 5: Dialogue Dynamo
“You’re a conversation pro, inspiring others to adopt good conversational practices.”
Goal: Start a ripple effect where at least 10 new conversations happen because of your influence.
Tip to Level Up: Lead by example. Share your stories of meaningful conversations on social media or in your community. Show people how transformative it can be.
Badge: A megaphone, because your voice is spreading the word.
Level 6: Empathy Architect
“You’re not just having conversations—you’re building structures that encourage others to do the same.”
Goal: Organize a “Conversation Circle” where people in your community can practice productive dialogue together. Maybe over a meal?
Tip to Level Up: Use free resources like conversation guides or articles that frame hard topics in a constructive way. Set some simple ground rules (e.g., no interrupting, operate in good faith).
Badge: A blueprint, because you’re designing something lasting.
Triple Platinum Diamond Luxe Elite Level
“You’ve achieved the ultimate level of conversational mastery. You’re basically a compassion tycoon.”
Goal: Create a scalable resource (like a blog post, podcast, or workshop) to help even more people have better conversations.
Tip to Maintain Your Elite Status: Remember, it’s not about being perfect—it’s about being willing to listen, learn, and try again. Keep having those 1:1s, and never stop refining your approach.
Badge: A crown made of headphones and a microphone, because you rule the realm of meaningful communication.
Bonus Tips to Keep Moving Forward
Celebrate Small Wins: Not every conversation will change the world, but every one is a step in the right direction.
Spread the Word: The best way to grow the Ranty Em MLM is by showing others how fulfilling it can be.
Stay Curious: The moment you think you have it all figured out is the moment to listen harder.
Ready to level up?
Additional Resources